Thursday, November 28, 2013

A leader of the Navajo Code Talkers who appeared at a Washington Redskins home football game said Wednesday the team name is a symbol of loyalty and courage -- not a slur as asserted by critics who want it changed.

Roy Hawthorne, 87, of Lupton, Ariz., was one of four Code Talkers honored for their service in World War II during the Monday night game against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Navajo Code Talker said the name Redskins is "a name that not only the team should keep, but that's a name that's American," according to AP.

"The word Redskins is of course neither offensive nor racist," as I have noted elsewhere. "And this lingual fact is not changed just because some person or some group claims to be 'offended.'

"The question is whether the accusation is justified," I noted. "It is not. Accusation is one thing, proof is another.

"In fact . . . the name Redskins is a 'way to honor the warrior heart of the American Indian. . . . Redskin is beautiful, as are all skin colors given by our amazing Creator. Celebrate diversity, celebrate Redskins'."

Snyder putting his foot down, so to speak, may be what it takes to bring some finality to a debate that’s raged on all offseason over the offensive nature of the team name "Redskins."

The word Redskins is of course neither offensive nor racist. And this lingual fact is not changed just because some person or some group claims to be "offended."

The question is whether the accusation is justified. It is not. Accusation is one thing, proof is another.

In fact, as I have noted elsewhere, the name Redskins is a "way to honor the warrior heart of the American Indian. . . . Redskin is beautiful, as are all skin colors given by our amazing Creator. Celebrate diversity, celebrate Redskins."